A/N Feel free to drool over Manik but make sure the drool doesn't reach Nandini. Don't say I didn't warn then.

Also, Inline comments are love.

Enjoy Reading.

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For a fact, Cabir always knew his elder brother was scary. Much much scary when it comes to his own people, specially his wife.

In the span of two years, Manik had proved it numerous times. He takes no nonsense against Nandini, even if the person standing infront of him is his dear one. But what Cabir didn't know was - his brother could scare someone so much that too with a mere stare.

Standing there at his brother's door, all Manik did was simply stare at Navya and Cabir could literally feel the heat radiating off him even from a safe distance of atleast ten feet.

Cabir: Bhai-

Manik: You both are fighting too loud. Keep your tone low or atleast close the door.

Cabir: Sorry bhai, we will take care.

Navya scoffed gaining both the men's attention. Cabir stared at her in anger and she looked away. Seeing the silent unhealthy exchange between the couple, Manik decided to leave. There was no way he wanted to fight with them right now.

He had just taken a step when Navya's word rang in his mind.

"I am not Nandini who will listen to her husband's shout and stay silent."

Manik gulped, unable to hide the rush of anger he felt at that moment. The sudden urge to protect his wife took place and Manik turned around immediately, facing Navya.

Manik: and Navya, Nandini doesn't stay silent listening her husband's shout because she is weak or she can't answer back. She very well know how to shut me up but she respect our elders and doesn't like to stretch the matter. That is why she listens silently unlike her husband who has no control over his tongue when it comes to arguments. You see, my anger is bad.

Manik added sternly making her look down. Cabir, although embarrassed knowing it was his own wife's mistake couldn't see it.

Cabir: Bhai-

Manik: I do not care what were you two arguing about, Cabir. I care about my wife who is nowhere related to this matter! Do not involve Nandini in all this. It was between you me and dad before, and now it is between you and your wife. You discuss it with her but keep my wife out of this!

Manik absolutely hated to do this. Cabir was his younger brother, a mirror to his soul and all the words he had just uttered, he knew his little brother was hurt for the look on his face said it all but he had no other choice. He couldn't simply hear shit about his wife and be cool about it.

She was his pride, and the words pointed at her, pricked him the most.

As Cabir stayed silent and Navya kept looking down, Manik turned around to leave again when Navya's chuckle stopped him in mid.

Navya: You respect Nandini so much. Why can't Cabir respect me the same?

She muttered under her breathe, her eyes still fixed on the ground. Cabir hissed at her words, wanting nothing but to stop her. Manik was there and he didn't want him to get more angry.

Cabir: Navya!

Navya: I get it. I get it all, Cabir. It is because I don't belong to a rich family or I don't earn like Nandini? Or is it because I don't have anyone behind me? You don't take my side, Cabir. You never understand my feelings!

Manik: doesn't give you the right to hate on Nandini!

Navya: I don't hate Nandini! She is my bestfriend but I hate it when my husband side with others without respecting my opinion!

Cabir: Gosh! Navya! Where are you taking it? I told you I don't want to get into business because I have no interest in it! What part of it you don't get?

Navya fell silent, accusing him silently for saying out the matter loud and the moment Manik realized it, he went awkward. All of the sudden, the realization dawned upon him - he was intruding their personal space.

He would hate it if someone hear him and Nandini fighting. Nandini hates it too and it was obvious. He shouldn't be standing here. He absolutely had no right to interfere in their matter. Guilty, Manik stepped out of their room closing the door behind.

Stupid. Manik was stupid. A complete idiot.

Manik kept on cursing himself as he came inside his room and sat on the bed. It was until the washroom door opened and he saw Nandini walked in wearing his black shirt with the upper two buttons open. She looked happy as she hummed a random tune softly, a warm smile spread on her face all the while.

She didn't seem to notice him as she walked to the mirror to apply her lotion and everything else Manik beleived she didn't even need but still used.

All of the sudden, seeing her enjoying and pampering herself, Manik drifted back to the past, in their initial days when she would even hesitate to move from one corner to another in the very same room.

He chuckled which broke her trance. She looked at him starled and then sighed.

Nandini: Manik, Aap kab aye?

Manik: Abhi bas-

He trailed off as she turned to look at him. He silently gestured her to come and she readily walked to him. As she neared the bed, a mischievous idea caught his mind.

Manik, very swifty gropped her hips and pulled her with such a force that she almost fell on him if her hand not reaching his shoulder for support. Her hair were all over his place as he slide them behind her ear with a proud smirk.

Nandini: Manik! Aap-

Manik: I am handsome, hot and sexy - I know.

Nandini rolled her eyes at him and he raised his eyebrow at her. She smiled sheepishly and made herself comfortable on his lap.

Manik: Mrs.Nandini Man-

Nandini: I know it is disrespectful and I shouldn't be rolling my eyes at you. I already know Mr.Manik Malhotra.

Manik: and still you love to do this no?

She shrugged as he shook his head. Okay, only his wife had the audicity to mess up with him, he knew.

He stared at her in silence as she placed her head on his chest, doodling some random patterns there and then zoned out making him smile at her.

Manik: Baby?

Nandini hummed deep in thoughts and Manik cupped her cheek.

Manik: Look at me

She looked up and Manik sighed seeing the stress lines on her forehead. Although her face glowed like never before, her eyes seemed dull. It made his heart sad too.

Manik: Is there something bothering you? You know you can share, right?

Nandini: It is about Cabir, Manik.

Manik: Cabir?

Manik frowned as she looked down sadly.

Nandini: Manik, I don't know why but Cabir is ignoring me. He- I don't know what happened to him, Manik.

Nandini didn't know what she was supposed to say. Although she somewhere had an idea behind his ignorance but she couldn't voice it out while Manik on the other hand understood the whole matter.

Navya certainly was the reason. Manik didn't want to blame her for she had always been like Mukti to him but right now, seeing Nandini getting upset over it, he couldn't help but get angry on her.

Nandini: I don't even know what did I do-

Manik: It is not you, Nandini.

Nandini: But-

Manik: I know you know the reason to. It is not you, but Navya. Haina?

She nodded meekly, suddenly getting intimated from his stern eyes. The reason being she blamed herself for his ignorance.

Nandini: I hate the difference between us, Manik. She was my bestfriend. I don't know- but it hurts.

She sniffed wrapping her arms around him and he held her tight by wrapping his arm around her lower back.

Manik: It is okay. Everything is gonna be fine.

Manik rubbed her back continuously as she burst into more tears. It made him worried, the sudden change of mood in her. It had never happened before.

All of the sudden, like the speed of lightening Manik remembered something. He picked up the mobile from the side table and his eyes widened seeing the date.

Manik: Nandini-

Nandini: I need her to be like before Manik. Why can't things be the same?

Manik gulped, feeling the urge to blurt out everything to her but he couldn't do it right now. He sighed and pecked her forehead.

Manik: It will be. Just give her some time. And before you start crying again, let me tell you I am taking you out for icecream so you better not mess your face.

He chuckled as she looked at him wide eyed before stepping out of his lap and running to the closet to grab a pjs. An icecream right now would do wonders.

Manik chuckled out loud as he watched her literally messing up her face and his shirt with the two melting icrecream cones in her each hand.

Nandini loved icrecreams next to chocolate and right now they were sitting in their car parked at the roadside while Manik preffered to watch her eat instead of eating himself.

As he looked at her, numerous thoughts crossed his mind. Why would Navya even say that?

Was his Nandini weak? She definitely wasn't. He didn't need to be told but then, when was the last time he had seen her speaking for herself?

Probably, a decade ago. Manik didn't even remember when it was.

He let out a sigh and at the same time Nandini swallowed the last bite. She looked around for something to wipe her hands and mouth and Manik silently took out his hanky and cleaned them for her.

She smiled as he kept back the dirty hanky.

Manik: Ghar chale?

She nodded as he drove to home. An hour later both of them laid in the bed cuddling silently. It was until Manik pecked her head grabbing her attention.

Manik: Nandini.

Nandini: Ji

Manik: I want to share something.

Nandini frowned at how disturbed he sounded while Manik was still having a debate in his heart and mind. He wanted to tell her what he had heard in Navya and Cabir's room but at the same time he didn't want her to stress.

Nandini: Is it about Cabir or Navya?

Manik: Ho-How do you know?

Nandini: You didn't look surprise when I said how he is ignoring me. So I guessed you have an idea about it.

Manik sighed and nodded his head. He sat down on the bed followed by her. As he narrated her the entire conversation with Cabir and Navya, including Navya's comment on them to her saying all that.

Nandini's face fell down hearing him but she tried her best not to make it appear on her face while Manik already knew how she might be feeling.

He just held her hand and pressed it softly in assurance making her smile faintly.

Manik: It is all my mistake. I should let you speak too, she thinks you do not say anything when I shout at you.

Nandini: It is okay. We both know this is not the truth, Manik. You know Navya's condition after Devyani aunty, right? and it has been only six months. She has no one from her maternal side. We are all she had. She might have felt insecure. Infact, you shouldn't have said all that to her.

Manik: Excuse me, nobody says anything to my wife like that and you know, it is your mistake. Why don't you back answer me when I shout at you?

Nandini: Because I don't want to, Manik.

Manik: but Navya was being so loud with Cabir.

Nandini: doesn't mean I have to be the same. Manik, when we get angry, we talk shit. Literally. And I don't like increasing the fight. And then, Sometimes I lose my control too, right?

Manik fell silent, understanding her point but still looked at her grumpily. She chuckled kissing his cheek and he couldn't help the smile coming on his face.

Nandini: Acha, by the way Manik, I have a doubt

Manik: About?

Nandini: Aap Mukti aur Zubin ke liye aise he man gaye?

Manik: Kisne kaha mai maangya?

Nandini looked at him wide eyed. Okay, she didn't think he will leave the matter so easily?

Nandini: Kya kiya aapne?

Manik's smirked and Nandini could only pray for Zubin.

Poor poor Zubin.

To be Continued.

Okayy....I am little bit doubtful about this one. There's lot to grasp, I feel but I can't help but put it all together.

I hope it is not messy. Dropping the most obvious hints so if anyone got to know what we are heading next to?

Trust me, you will love the next track :)

Meet you people next Sunday.

Love and only Love❤️
And Have a nice sleep...